Introduction to

Floriculture
Krishna Nemali, Ph.D.
Asst. Professor
Purdue Horticulture & Landscape Architecture
765-494-8179
knemali@purdue.edu

December 1, 2016
• Floriculture is a branch of horticulture that
specializes in the science of cultivation of
flowers

• Flowers are cultivated under protected, semi-

protected and field conditions

Protected Semi-protected Field

Floriculture includes broad range of crops

Bedding Plants Cut flowers Potted Plants

Perennials Foliage/Tropicals Succulents

The art of floral arrangement also falls under floriculture

Floriculture is a multi-billion $ industry in the US
Whole sale value

Source: USDA

Floriculture sales at all retail outlets was $31.3 billion in 2015

(U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Personal Consumption Expenditures (2016).
 Whole-sale value by crop in the US

Source: USDA

California and Florida rank as top two states

Global floriculture outlook

Source: UN comtrade, 2014

 Many career paths exist for floriculture majors

• Research
• Education
• Production management
• Writing & communication
• Sales & Marketing
• Parks & gardens
• Owner & entrepreneur You get to travel !!
Floriculture is served by many large companies
Floriculture is an experiential learning program
Floriculture is an interdisciplinary science that is
both challenging and rewarding

Crop
production

Environment
Marketing
management

Floriculture

Technology
Plant
&
physiology
Automation
 How to produce millions of uniform plants for
the market?
• Too much water?
• What is right temperature?
• Should I spray PGRs?
How much fertilizer or water do plants need?
Fertilizer

Sufficient water Low water

Research on advanced sensor technologies to
monitor crop requirements
Photoperiod modification to produce colored bracts
in poinsettias

Is there a market for poinsettias after Christmas?

Controlling temperature to target Easter lily for the
market
Supplemental lighting to produce year-round
Marketing….chain/mass merchandising stores
Flower growers are adding controlled environment
agriculture into their business

Involves growing edibles like lettuce, spinach, herbs,

salad greens, tomatoes and peppers in greenhouses
 Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)
• Produce is fresh and attracts consumers; industry is growing
rapidly around urban areas

• Many jobs exist in CEA; employers are looking for people who
are trained in both science and technology

• Many faculty at Purdue HLA conduct research, teaching and

extension activities in controlled environment agriculture

Dr. Cary Mitchell Dr. Krishna Nemali Dr. Steve Hallett Dr. Petrus Dr. Hye-Ji Kim Dr. Wenjing Guan
(NASA-CEA) (CEA-Advanced (Sustainable Langenhoven (Aquaponics) (High tunnels)
sensing farming systems) (Hydroponics/High
technologies) tunnels)
Controlled environment agriculture promotional video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kUm_I7bLYw